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Baby names

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Original poster

What words would make lovely sounding baby names if they didn’t mean what they do?

212 replies

OliveLeader · 01/01/2025 17:08

In light of the rise of pretty-sounding nouns which work beautifully as names (Wren, Aurora, River etc), what are some words that you think would make beautiful sounding names if the words didn’t have the meaning they do?

For instance, I have a soft spot for Farfalle. Elegant and feminine, but slightly chic! Paella would also very much work in this vibe.

Or for a boy, isn’t Faucet quite noble and yet sensitive?

I can picture an absolutely adorable little Miasma and her brother Artery - don’t they just sound nice?

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rockysnout · 19/07/2025 08:19

hyena :)

cloudbusting123 · 17/07/2025 20:09

Wainscot

Orphlids · 17/07/2025 20:05

Obscenity.

Melsy88 · 17/07/2025 16:51

Lukemia

TwoUnderTwitTwoo · 17/07/2025 14:35

Agree @Saschka Melaena and Chlamydia are top of the list

Areola would be a beautiful name for a girl

Apocalypse would be a strong name for a boy

Andoutcomethewolves · 10/01/2025 14:34

Shesnotfromroundhere · 10/01/2025 14:25

Oh, I think Semolina has a nice sound to it ;)
Agree, Vianetta and Romantica ( Roman) sound nice.

Tachio is okay, but not the "Pis" that comes before it.
Spumomi
Gateau
Angel ( Delight)?
Cherry
Chiffon
Ashure ( Noah's pudding; the oldest dessert in the world).

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Oh I can imagine Gateau as a devastatingly attractive French man!

Shesnotfromroundhere · 10/01/2025 14:25

Andoutcomethewolves · 10/01/2025 13:46

Vianetta sounds nice. And Romantica.

Trying to think of other retro icecreams/puddings now 😆 banofee? Butterscotch? I wouldn't go so far as Semolina

Oh, I think Semolina has a nice sound to it ;)
Agree, Vianetta and Romantica ( Roman) sound nice.

Tachio is okay, but not the "Pis" that comes before it.
Spumomi
Gateau
Angel ( Delight)?
Cherry
Chiffon
Ashure ( Noah's pudding; the oldest dessert in the world).

Andoutcomethewolves · 10/01/2025 13:46

Vianetta sounds nice. And Romantica.

Trying to think of other retro icecreams/puddings now 😆 banofee? Butterscotch? I wouldn't go so far as Semolina

MooseBreath · 09/01/2025 22:55

Flummox
Dandruff
Leukemia
Vendetta
Amphetamine
Erotica
Maggot

Mochudubh · 09/01/2025 19:33

"in there", not their, d'oh.

My DH suggested that little Zeppelin's mum or dad might be Led Zepp fans, I was around in the 70s and admit that hadn't occurred to me but you never hear a mum shouting for little "Beatle" or "Sabbath". "Leppard, stop poking the Sonic plushies"! Nope.

Maybe he has twin sisters Lynyrd & Skynyrd.

Shesnotfromroundhere · 09/01/2025 18:02

Parents seem to be on the search for more unique names for their DCs.
I was surprised that on this thread there were so many suggestions, taken from ordinary names of 'things' that are actually not bad sounding names at all; and certainly, in most cases, quite unique!

Zeppelin, name derives from the town in Germany, Zepelin, also a surname ( one who comes from Zepelin).
I actually understand some giving their son that name; who knows?

Maybe they have an association with Zepelin, Germany, or a surname somewhere or are a fan of Led Zeppelin.
It has a nice sound to it.
Zep as a NN would be quite appealing to some ime.

Mochudubh · 09/01/2025 17:26

I have just come back from the supermarket where a young mum was shouting for her toddler who was running around, picking stuff up etc. I thought I'd misheard at first but as she called at least 5 times while I was in their I'm 99% sure it was..............Zeppelin!

Why call your kid after something associated with so much death and destruction? Why not call him Hindenburg, Messerschmidt or Heinkel and be done with it?

Dolamroth · 09/01/2025 15:20

Mochudubh · 08/01/2025 19:53

Reminds me of Ma Crepe Suzette by Kenneth Williams.

https://old.frenchwithshelley.co.nz/index.php?id=1873

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Omg I still watch that every now and then it's genius!

Mochudubh · 08/01/2025 19:53

MistyF · 08/01/2025 09:02

Noisette

Reminds me of Ma Crepe Suzette by Kenneth Williams.

https://old.frenchwithshelley.co.nz/index.php?id=1873

https://old.frenchwithshelley.co.nz/index.php?id=1873

Wonmoretime · 08/01/2025 14:30

Latrine

MistyF · 08/01/2025 09:02

Noisette

Pelagi · 06/01/2025 08:08

I’ve read through all these and I’m amazed that Syphilis has only been mentioned once. Beautiful name. She would go on to be a ballet dancer in her youth and then a really fierce dance teacher with a cane in middle age.

I know someone called Melena, had no idea until I saw it on here just now that that it meant something else!

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 06/01/2025 07:54

Oregano

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 06/01/2025 07:53

Anna-Glypta

I expect someone is already using as a stage name.

Alice Cooper has a daughter called Calico. I think that's a lovely name.

MerryTraveller · 06/01/2025 06:42

MistyF · 01/01/2025 17:24

Reverie, Dream, Memory, Sunset, Nebula, Guy, Amethyst (it's unusable to me due to association). I know one celebrity kid has Dream as middle
and lots of real names, due to sound, Fulk in particular, and Pippa in countries that use pipi as word for penis, also think Ennis sounds too similar to penis

Edited

Memory is a female first name in southern Africa - although almost any word can be... Punishment springs to mind (male), with Admire (male) being one of my favourites.

sashh · 06/01/2025 05:40

I taught a Sultana. And I once met a Brilliant.

Mulatto. I always think it sounds like such a nice word.

Emetic would be a boy, quite a serious child.
Anaemia.
Eclampsia.

BettyBardMacDonald · 06/01/2025 04:01

Decoupage

Shesnotfromroundhere · 06/01/2025 03:54

Farthing
Dinar
Franc
Ducati
Florin
Tolar
Markka
Talonas

Penny...oh , already an established name!

FrenchBean7 · 06/01/2025 01:20

Maybe we could recycle some if the old currencies:
Peseta
Lira
Escudo
Guilder
Drachma

SkiingIsHeaven · 06/01/2025 01:11

MrsSethGecko · 01/01/2025 19:15

Dipsomania
Asphyxia

Oow. I like asphyxia.

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